A woman ambushes a lord, grabbing him in public and forcing him to answer her. He tells her to step back; she threatens to call others and warns that being seen together could ruin his spotless reputation. Bystanders ogle his build. The woman reveals she turns twenty in seven days and by law will go to prison unless she marries. He refuses. She lists reasons—repaying a life debt, enlivening his life, continuing the bloodline—then shifts tactics and offers a contract marriage: one year, then separate if he still doesn't love her. "Deal?"